Viking Forge Slot Review
Pragmatic Play released Viking Forge in October 2023, establishing a strong foothold in the high-volatility scatter pays segment with a distinctive Norse theme. The game stands out through its innovative coin collection mechanic, which creates layered win potential across both base gameplay and free spins modes. With a maximum win capacity of 10,000x and competitive 96.05% RTP, Viking Forge appeals to players seeking engaging cascading mechanics alongside substantial prize potential.
Base Game & Features
Viking Forge operates on a 6×5 grid using scatter pays mechanics, where winning combinations form when eight or more matching symbols land anywhere across the reels, regardless of position. This removes traditional payline restrictions, creating fluid win possibilities across the entire playing field. The game features high-paying symbols including the Viking, Hammer, Sword, and Beer, whilst low-paying symbols comprise standard card ranks (Ace through Ten). Notably, there are no wild symbols—the scatter pays system compensates for this by generating wins based purely on symbol quantity and placement.
The betting range extends from £0.20 to £240 per spin, accommodating both casual players and high-rollers comfortably. Each winning spin triggers a Tumble Feature, where winning symbols are removed and new symbols cascade downward to fill the vacated positions. This creates consecutive wins from a single spin, adding momentum to gameplay flow.
Coin Collection Feature
The coin collection mechanic represents the game’s primary innovation. During gameplay, random coin overlays attach to non-scatter symbols, each displaying either a cash value (ranging from 0.1x to 20x bet) or a multiplier (x2, x3, x5, or x10). When a symbol with a coin participates in a winning combination, that coin’s value immediately adds to an accumulating meter. Cash values contribute directly; multipliers amplify the total meter accumulation.
The distinction between base game and free spins coin mechanics proves crucial. During base gameplay, coins collected reset after each tumble sequence concludes. However, during the free spins round, coins persist and accumulate throughout the entire bonus feature, creating significantly larger potential payouts as the meter compounds across multiple spins.
Ante Bet
The Ante Bet feature increases your current bet stake by 25% before spinning. This additional cost doubles your probability of triggering the free spins round, reducing the free spins frequency from approximately 1 in 406 spins to roughly 1 in 203 spins. When activated, the game’s RTP adjusts to 96.00%, providing a minor mathematical shift. Ante Bet is strategically valuable for players seeking more frequent bonus access without relying on expensive bonus buy options.
Viking Forge Free Spins
The free spins round triggers when landing four, five, or six scatter symbols during base gameplay, awarding 10, 20, or 30 free spins respectively. This mechanic grants meaningful control over bonus feature frequency through ante bet activation or bonus buy purchases, allowing different player segments to approach the round according to their preferences and bankroll.
During free spins, the coin collection mechanic operates with enhanced potency. All coin values collected throughout the round accumulate continuously within the meter, without resetting between tumbles. This persistent accumulation transforms the free spins feature into a win-building experience where early lucky coin placements compound across remaining spins. Landing three or more additional scatters during the bonus round awards +5 extra spins, extending the accumulation window and increasing overall win potential.
The coin accumulation system creates genuine variance within free spins outcomes. A free spins round starting with few high-value coins differs markedly from one beginning with several x10 multipliers that compound throughout remaining spins. This mechanic rewards both lucky symbol placement and extended play duration, balancing volatility appeal for different player psychology types.
Bonus Buy & Ante Bet
Bonus Buy enables players outside the UK to instantly trigger the free spins round by paying 100x their current bet. This high-cost feature generates immediate scatter triggers, awarding either 4, 5, or 6 scatters with corresponding payouts of 3x, 5x, or 100x stake. The risk-reward profile proves volatile—players could recover 5x their stake or land the rare 100x prize, creating significant outcome variance. When purchased, the game’s RTP adjusts to 96.06%. Due to UK Gambling Commission regulations, bonus buy remains unavailable to UK-based players, though ante bet provides a cost-conscious alternative that substantially improves free spins trigger probability.
Our Honest Verdict
Viking Forge executes its high-volatility scatter pays template effectively, with the coin collection feature genuinely differentiating the game from Pragmatic Play’s typical release formula. The visual presentation ticks all the right boxes—dramatic sound design, thematic Viking artwork, and fluid animations create an immersive experience. Design quality and thematic execution receive no criticism here.
The coin collection mechanic stands as the game’s standout strength. This feature works effectively across both base game and free spins phases, creating layered win potential that distinguishes Viking Forge from single-mechanic alternatives. Unlike pure multiplier systems, coin collection generates diverse outcomes depending on symbol placement and coin value distribution, rewarding both luck and session longevity. The 10,000x maximum win cap represents a genuine improvement over Pragmatic Play’s typical 5,000x ceiling found in many comparable releases.
High volatility positioning requires honest acknowledgment of trade-offs. Base game hit frequency sits at approximately 25% (one winning spin per four spins), which is moderate accessibility for a highly volatile slot but demands patience and adequate bankroll for comfort. The free spins trigger rate of 1 in 406 spins without ante bet emphasises the importance of either activating ante bet (25% cost increase, 1 in 203 trigger rate) or bonus buy for players seeking more frequent bonus access. These limitations don’t represent flaws—they’re intentional design choices positioning the game toward dedicated volatility enthusiasts rather than casual spinners.
Viking Forge appeals most strongly to players who appreciate Norse/Viking themes combined with engaging cascading mechanics. The scatter pays system removes payline complexity, creating instinctive win formation. Those comfortable with high-volatility gameplay and patient enough for extended play sessions without frequent bonus triggers will find genuine entertainment value. Conversely, players preferring rapid-fire bonus access or multiplier-heavy systems comparable to Gates of Olympus (which offers 20,000x max win) may find the pacing frustrating.
Mobile optimisation deserves specific commendation. The HTML5 build delivers responsive touch controls with no app download required, performing smoothly across iOS, Android, and Windows devices. For mobile-first players, this represents a competitive advantage over poorly optimised alternatives, making the game genuinely enjoyable on smartphone and tablet screens.
Overall, Viking Forge merits consideration as a solid addition to Pragmatic Play’s scatter pays portfolio. The innovative coin mechanic, competitive RTP, and ambitious maximum win potential create compelling gameplay for appropriately-matched player segments. The game doesn’t push mechanical boundaries beyond established scatter pays conventions, but executes those conventions with quality and introduces meaningful differentiation through the coin accumulation system. Enthusiasm should be tempered with volatility expectations and trigger frequency acknowledgment, but the underlying slot delivers exactly what its design promises—high-variance entertainment with thematic appeal and genuine win-building potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the RTP of Viking Forge?
Viking Forge features a base RTP of 96.05%, which is competitive and average for modern online slots. The RTP adjusts to 96.00% when Ante Bet is active, and 96.06% when using Bonus Buy. -
What is the maximum win on Viking Forge?
The maximum win on Viking Forge is 10,000x your stake. This represents a theoretical maximum with an estimated hit frequency of approximately 1 in 4,000,000 spins, making it genuinely possible but exceptionally rare during standard gameplay. -
How volatile is Viking Forge?
Viking Forge operates with high volatility, meaning wins occur less frequently but arrive in larger amounts when they hit. The base game features a hit frequency of approximately 25% (one in every four spins), suited for players capable of sustaining extended play sessions. -
How many free spins can you get on Viking Forge?
Landing 4, 5, or 6 scatter symbols during the base game triggers 10, 20, or 30 free spins respectively. You can earn additional free spins by landing 3 or more scatters during the bonus round itself, which awards +5 extra spins each time. -
Can I buy the bonus round on Viking Forge?
Yes, Bonus Buy is available to players outside the UK. This feature allows you to instantly trigger the free spins round by paying 100x your current bet. Bonus Buy is not available to UK players due to regulatory restrictions, though Ante Bet provides a cost-effective alternative. -
What is the coin collection feature in Viking Forge?
The Coin Collection feature randomly attaches coin overlays to symbols during gameplay, displaying either cash values (0.1x to 20x bet) or multipliers (x2, x3, x5, or x10). During free spins, coins accumulate throughout the entire round without resetting, creating significantly larger wins. -
Can I play Viking Forge on mobile?
Yes, Viking Forge is fully playable on mobile devices. The game uses HTML5 technology with a touch-optimized interface that adapts to all screen sizes. Full compatibility extends to iOS, Android, and Windows devices with responsive design. -
What are the minimum and maximum bets on Viking Forge?
Viking Forge features a flexible betting range from £0.20 (minimum) to £240 (maximum) per spin. This wide range accommodates casual players starting with small stakes and high-rollers comfortable with substantial bets.
